Does everybody want to be a NP?

[Cola89]

Or... should I say does every NP think all nurses want to be NPs?! In my experience, that's how they act. Even when I'm being seen as a patient, the NP is hurried, and seriously has an air like "yeah, bet you wish you were an NP". Even the nurses who are just in NP SCHOOL say things like 'yeah, I'm going to get my REAL education so that I can be a REAL professional/get a REAL job.' So rude!

Is being an NP really that much better than say having an MBA? Or being a PT? Or a registered dietician? I don't even think we should compare NP with floor nurse, because a typical floor nurse will not have an advanced degree. Am I wrong?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I personally can't imagine doing a master's program with no intention of fulfilling the role it trained me for, but I saw that numerous times.

Some nurses are enticed by the increased earnings, less physical role, and normal work hours that are commonly linked to midlevel provider positions.

However, I suspect a few of the people who jumped onto the NP bandwagon were not mentally prepared for the provider role. The mindset of the provider lays in stark contrast to that of the floor nurse, and I think some NPs who aren't working in that role were perhaps unprepared or unwilling to make the transition.

[annabanana2]

Some people just have that air about them. I've experienced it in varying professions. I don't know that many nurse practitioners but the last one I encountered was very down to earth and friendly. As a general rule, whenever I sense an "air" about someone, especially having to do with superiority, I have to check myself (as uncomfortable as that may be), because sometimes it is something within me that makes me sense that about them.

For me, this has definitely been the case. I've noticed that when I was a student, as well as a brand-new baby nurse, I felt that the NPs I had worked with, as well as others with more advanced educations and roles (wound clinicians, for example) found me annoying or didn't want to engage with me. Nowadays I get along quite well with our NPs and others (except for one wound clinician whom I am certain thinks I am an idiot, but to be fair, I also have done some idiotic things in front of her). I think it was maybe that I felt intimidated and read too much into behaviour that meant nothing at all. Since I've been in nursing a couple of years and my confidence has grown, I feel much better about engaging with folks "above" me in terms of education or role - physicians included.

[Karou]

I have zero desire to purse anything higher than a BSN. I don't want the responsibility, I don't want to put the hours/effort in. I really like bedside nursing.

Seems like many of my coworkers are pursing their MSN to be NP's, or are wanting to eventually become CRNA's.

I LOVE most our hospitals NP's. Especially the psych and palliative care ones. Amazing resources, down to earth, best bedside manner.

[sammiesmom]

I work at a new hospital and they employ many NP and I find that they are very down to earth and even more efficient. One NP told me if I need to give a pain medication and he let me give it to a patient before he dc it to get a new one. I was very pleased with that encounter and it gave me an impression that it is nice to know that the people ordering the medication exactly know whats going on! I am going to NP school but not because of any impression an NP has given me. I think it is just a natural progression.

[Farawyn]

Nope. No NP for me.

Most of the NPs with whom I've worked have been amazing.

[NOADLS]

I went for it out of boredom. Mostly because I figured that I could get my classwork done at work. Not even close

Since I started, I haven't played more than an hour of candycrush. FML.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Since I started, I haven't played more than an hour of candycrush. FML.

Have no fears- my candy crushing hours have increased exponentially, so I'm able to make up for your decreased hours.

[Bob Loblaw]

NP's are doing a great job filling the primary care practitioner position and more states should allow independent practice. Docs don't want to do it (low pay and prestige), but don't want anyone else to do it, cant figure that out.... those guys want their cake and eat it to.

Ive been seeing increasing initial entry NP programs. Takes about 3 years, after 1st year get your RN and then complete the NP- so basically only pt contact is in clinicals.

When I work nights several of the RN's are doing online NP programs and do their classwork then.

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

No....

[missycrowell]

I don't want to be a NP. I want to teach students [emoji4]

[Dranger]

There are enough people who are pursuing NP who really shouldn't be NPs. I mean if you can't even do your RN job right how will being a NP help?

There is a bubble for everything and this broad stroke "marketability" people praise FNPs for will burst. Physicians avoid it by specializing and restricting med school admission. NPs have no buffer to entry.

Anecdotally we all have example of those who do not want to pursue advance practice, but I think for most people, who work acute care, we all know of a large amount of people in NP school.

Give it 5-7 years.

[Wrench Party]

Uh...I don't, at least, not for now. I like getting to know my patients and treating them, not just their diagnosis. When I've got some solid bedside experience under my belt, I'm going to figure out how to be an educator.